Jayabalakrishnan, who ran a roadside eatery, was heading home after closing the shop when the accident occurred at 2.20 am on Sunday. Both vehicles were travelling towards Kalamassery.
KOCHI: The Kerala high court on Thursday granted interim protection from arrest to the additional district judge whose 17-year-old son allegedly drove a Mercedes-Benz that hit a two-wheeler in Kochi, killing the rider. Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the order on an anticipatory bail plea filed by the judge, who is posted at a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district. “The police shall not arrest the applicant until further orders. The interrogation of the applicant shall be done in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court,” the court ordered.
Another notice directing him to appear before the police had since been issued. However, he shall appear before the investigating officer today at 1pm and if necessary as and when called for. Senior advocate P Vijaya Bhanu, appearing for the judge, told the court that his client had appeared before the police on Wednesday and was interrogated for more than four hours.
The High Court’s Administrative Committee held a preliminary meeting on October 27 and decided to await further material from the investigating agency before taking any action against the judge, according to Bar & Bench. Questioning the need for further interrogation and custodial questioning, the court remarked, “What was the need to interrogate him for four hours and now for further interrogation? Why is his arrest required? He is a judicial officer. Counsel representing the victim’s legal heirs opposed the plea, alleging that the judge had tampered with evidence after being informed of the accident. Meanwhile, the victim’s family has complained to the Kerala high court chief justice seeking an inquiry into the judicial officer’s conduct.